Trump Claims Iran Seeks U.S. Deal Despite State Media Denials, Sets Five-Day Deadline on Attacks

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran strongly seeks an agreement with the United States and that talks between the two sides are ongoing, despite denials from Iranian state media.

In a conversation with a Fox News reporter on Monday, Trump said negotiations continued until last night with a number of American figures present. He added that the two sides have reached "the main points of the agreement" and that further contacts will be conducted by phone.

Trump speculated that Iranian media denials of the negotiations could be due to damage to communication infrastructure in Iran, which has made access to accurate information difficult. He noted that some Iranian officials may be confused because of instability in the country's communications.

In separate statements to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump announced that he has set a five-day deadline to stop or delay attacks against Iran's energy infrastructure. He said this process may reach a result sooner.

These remarks come as Iranian state media has denied any negotiations with the United States. Trump has not accepted the denials.